Bangers and Bikes sportive riders to support two causes

A FAMILY cycle sportive is being held in May to raise money for two good causes.

‘Bangers and Bikes’ will offer three different routes, and all riders can enjoy a drink and a sausage in a roll once they finish.

Starting and finishing at Salisbury Fire Station, the sportive is in aid of the Fire Fighters Charity and the Macular Society’s Research Fund.

The Fire Fighters Charity – www.firefighterscharity.org.uk – provides support to all personnel within the fire and rescue service, including vital recuperation and rehabilitation facilities for injured firefighters.

The Macular Society – www.macularsociety.org – is the national charity for anyone affected by central vision loss. It funds clinical research and has supported groundbreaking developments in areas including stem cell treatment.

Participants in the event on Sunday, May 14, can choose between a 15km, 32km or 75km route, and the entry fees are £5, £10 and £15 respectively.

With the support of personnel from across Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, Lesley Aldridge is organising the event. Her husband John is an assistant chief fire officer and daughter Katie works in fire control.

She said: “We are a fire service family, so we are always keen to support the Fire Fighters Charity, and a close relative is suffering with juvenile macular degeneration, so we want to do everything we can to raise money for research through the Macular Society.

“My son Matt and I will be taking part in the sportive on a tandem, and we are also training for the RideLondon event in July, again in support of the Macular Society.

“Our hope is that Bangers and Bikes become an annual event and we’re looking forward to seeing cyclists of all abilities taking part.”